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Overview

INERELA+ is an international, interfaith network of religious leaders – both lay and ordained, women and men – who are living with or personally affected by HIV.

It is universally recognized that religious leaders have a unique authority that plays a central role in providing moral and ethical guidance within their communities; indeed their public opinions can influence entire nations. INERELA+ looks to empower its members to use their positions within their faith communities in a way that breaks silence, challenges stigma and provides delivery of evidenced-based prevention, care, and treatment services.

Mission Statement: To equip, empower and engage religious leaders living with and personally affected by HIV to live positively and openly as agents of hope and change in and beyond their faith communities.

Sixty per cent of people living with HIV are located in sub-Saharan Africa, thus ANERELA+ was merged into INERELA+. Based on the realities of the HIV pandemic in the rest of the world, it was decided to create regional networks based on shared elements of history, language, culture and religion.

The five regions that make up INERELA+ are: Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe/Central Asia, Southern Africa and North Africa/Middle East.

Since the start in 2006, the networks have grown to encompass over 7,000 members across five continents. These members will mobilize their respective faith communities to provide accurate information and other services to an estimated 2.5 million people around the world, helping to reduce HIV-related silence, stigma, shame, and discrimination, and thereby reducing the number of new infections.

During INERELA+s journey we have grown to encompass over 7,000 members across five continents. These members will mobilize their respective faith communities to provide accurate information and other services to an estimated 2.5 million people around the world, helping to reduce HIV-related silence, shame, stigma and discrimination, and thereby reducing the number of new infections.

Objectives

INERELA+ Vision

A world where HIV and AIDS related stigma, infections and deaths are eliminated.

INERELA+ Mission

INERELA+ exists to equip, empower and engage its members to live positively and openly as agents of hope and change in their faith communities and countries

INERELA+ Goals

Overcome self & societal stigma

Engage in stimulating faith community responses

Influence policies and service provision

In order to reduce significantly HIV infections and deaths.

Objective 1

To Establish and maintain highly effective networks across the globe that equip, empower, and engage members to overcome stigma and discrimination (SSDDIM).

Strategies:

Establish and support a global secretariat.

Establish and support a regional, and national network coordination mechanisms.

Identify, empower, and support religious leaders living with or affected by HIV.